I started band in grade school (Milwaukee). Most memorable was my high school band director at Washington, Elwyn Bischman. I dare say he was “awesome.” When I attended UW Stevens Point and played in the band there, we marched during half-time at several Packer games, no less awesome! On one of those occasions, it was terribly cold. I was playing piccolo, and, as is normal during a performance, I licked my lower lip before re-engaging the instrument, but quickly found that lip of mine frozen to the mouthpiece. Unfortunately, bloody consequences. I started playing with the Peninsula Symphonic Band during the summers. In 2004 I retired from my post as a 4th-grade teacher and moved here full time. I enjoy playing Sousa marches and tunes from movies and musicals. In addition to teaching school, I was and continue to be a private piano teacher and piano tuner/technician. My new passion is creating fused glass jewelry, which you can see at www.shimmeringwater.net.